So, we survived the holidays with our sanity (mostly) intact and we survived the first “big” snowfall in North Georgia. Some of you have set New Year’s resolutions and some of you gave up on that years ago (me included). But I hope you’ve at least made a pact with yourself and your families to get outside more often. We are so fortunate to live right in the middle of the Trout Fishing Capital of GA and countless miles of hiking trails, swift rivers to paddle, forest canopies to camp under and breathtaking waterfalls to discover.

Go outside, play in the sun, learn a new skill, introduce someone new to hiking, teach a kid to fish, find a way to be a ray of sunshine in the lives of those around you and the strangers you meet every day.

Is there something special in our store that you’ve been eyeing? Are you one of our regulars who comes in to visit that Gregory Backpack, marvel in its beauty, run your hands over it and try it on for the fourth time? Well, nows your chance to save 10%. From now until the end of the day 12-31, we are offering 10% off everything in the store! (The only exclusion are items with the code 1612.) Some of our items might be eligible for a second 10% discount, just ask and we’ll look it up.

It’s finally here – Christmas in Blue Ridge. We hope you are taking advantage of the holiday and unseasonably warm weather to enjoy some outside time with your family (or some quiet solitude). We plan to go hiking tomorrow. Not sure where yet, but as long as it’s not raining, we’ll be on the trails.

Just in time for the holidays, we have gift certificates for your favorite outdoor enthusiast. Pre-owned is the way to go! Let everyone else pay full price, your hard-earned money goes farther in our store.

The weekend after Thanksgiving is always Light Up Blue Ridge weekend. Great shopping deals and lots of holiday festivities going on downtown all day. It started this morning with the parade at 10 a.m. and will end with the lighting of the “Great Tree” at 7pm.

For many years before we called Blue Ridge home, we would vacation here on this special weekend. Light Up Blue Ridge festivities always marked the beginning of the true holiday season for us. We would admire the real reindeer, ride the horse carriage, visit the Gingerbread House Contest and stroll along Main Street looking at window decorations while drinking hot chocolate.

This Thanksgiving we are thankful for YOU, thankful that we are able to start our own business, thankful that the community has supported our endeavor by shopping, consigning and telling their friends. We’re thankful that the Rough Ridge fire, which had engulfed our city with smoke, is now 83% contained and thankful for every firefighter risking their life to keep us safe. There are so many things to be thankful for this year. We hope you take the time to appreciate everything and everyone around you during this time and always. Be safe and be nice to one another!